Far West Sojourn: a Santa Barbara TR
Jun 10th, 2025 | 11:25 AM
#21
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Joined: Jan 2008
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So gardens. Santa Barbara got its nickname 'The American Riviera' for its microclimate, its architecture and probably also for its wonderful gardens. The whole town was replete with petals and fragrances, with many a private home part of that friendly competition. Not every day that we see a front lawn with a banana tree! There are 24,000 trees in SB including private homes. It seems that almost none of them were native. Also, there exists over 160 organic farms plus at least 100 agricultural commodities. And this past February, there 2 (two) curious Canucks who reveled in the floral wonders even after one of their fave football teams got crushed in the Super Bowl and the President made silly remarks about annexing their nation.
First, we'll show the SB Botanic Garden.
(From Lonely Planet) 'Sprawled across 78 hillside acres with panoramic coastal views, this is part garden and part hiking wonderland.' Above is the uber-modern Pritzlaff Conservation Center (washrooms), with its carefully-placed outdoor seating. Nearby were the first of many attractive boulders we'd see at such gardens: Mother Nature as art gallery. Note that there are occasion 'Free Seniors' days. That does not mean that you get to take an elderly woman home, rather it means there is no fee.
That same center housed a cool display made by grade 8 Art students from La Colina Jr. High. Those kids painted an assortment of unique seeds. Above we see one such example. Those same students also created a seed quilt with local artist Rosie Brand. About 1,300 seeds species are stored here (20% are from California) while a half-million are produced each year. The garden has 216 Native plants including grasses. Those are fed by 180, 000 gallons of agua collected in various tanks and channels.
There are 23 scientists on staff. They tend to 50,000 lichen, 50 different manzanitas, and other plants from desserts, chapparal and arroyo. They told us that the best views are from the Porter hiking Trail and also the new Tipton trail. We already knew that from reading their great 'Ironwood' magazine. Above is Tom Turtle, a notorious curmudgeon. As we passed, he muttered, "YA CALL THAT MUSIC?!"
The hushed Redwoods area had 30 GIANT Sequoias including the 50m General Sherman. They are currently suffering from a bark beetle infest (georgous harrisonicus). The massive rock outcrops nearby had names like Blakesly and Lassiter. The unique kids area had colorful art installations and laminated poetry among the open-air huts constructed from twigs and bark. A boy recently adopted from Mali delighted in showing us his colorful sparkle wand. A chess board was made atop a sawed-off trunk.
There were tiny frogs and cicadas (Hi cigalechante) close by this succulent. Across the way were large 'dudlega', whose leaves reflected a lot of light. There was also an extremely impressive cut-sandstone model-map of the Channel islands, set amidst black pebbles and made by donator Hallie Silas. Another garden society member had donated a clever wooden bench that was by design, sandwiched between two varnished redwood slabs--see above.
This is the classic and by now cliche view of the main meadow. California orange poppies filled the foreground. On Reddit the very next day, a German traveler posted a question with this same image that he'd found on the NET: "Is this Santa Barbara?"
These glass objects were for sale in the garden's nursery/gift shop. We bought three packets of seeds there to take home as an experiment. Just as we were leaving, there commenced a Guided Tour for new members, which probably doubled as a social mixer for singles and other folks.
First, we'll show the SB Botanic Garden.
(From Lonely Planet) 'Sprawled across 78 hillside acres with panoramic coastal views, this is part garden and part hiking wonderland.' Above is the uber-modern Pritzlaff Conservation Center (washrooms), with its carefully-placed outdoor seating. Nearby were the first of many attractive boulders we'd see at such gardens: Mother Nature as art gallery. Note that there are occasion 'Free Seniors' days. That does not mean that you get to take an elderly woman home, rather it means there is no fee.
That same center housed a cool display made by grade 8 Art students from La Colina Jr. High. Those kids painted an assortment of unique seeds. Above we see one such example. Those same students also created a seed quilt with local artist Rosie Brand. About 1,300 seeds species are stored here (20% are from California) while a half-million are produced each year. The garden has 216 Native plants including grasses. Those are fed by 180, 000 gallons of agua collected in various tanks and channels.
There are 23 scientists on staff. They tend to 50,000 lichen, 50 different manzanitas, and other plants from desserts, chapparal and arroyo. They told us that the best views are from the Porter hiking Trail and also the new Tipton trail. We already knew that from reading their great 'Ironwood' magazine. Above is Tom Turtle, a notorious curmudgeon. As we passed, he muttered, "YA CALL THAT MUSIC?!"
The hushed Redwoods area had 30 GIANT Sequoias including the 50m General Sherman. They are currently suffering from a bark beetle infest (georgous harrisonicus). The massive rock outcrops nearby had names like Blakesly and Lassiter. The unique kids area had colorful art installations and laminated poetry among the open-air huts constructed from twigs and bark. A boy recently adopted from Mali delighted in showing us his colorful sparkle wand. A chess board was made atop a sawed-off trunk.
There were tiny frogs and cicadas (Hi cigalechante) close by this succulent. Across the way were large 'dudlega', whose leaves reflected a lot of light. There was also an extremely impressive cut-sandstone model-map of the Channel islands, set amidst black pebbles and made by donator Hallie Silas. Another garden society member had donated a clever wooden bench that was by design, sandwiched between two varnished redwood slabs--see above.
This is the classic and by now cliche view of the main meadow. California orange poppies filled the foreground. On Reddit the very next day, a German traveler posted a question with this same image that he'd found on the NET: "Is this Santa Barbara?"
These glass objects were for sale in the garden's nursery/gift shop. We bought three packets of seeds there to take home as an experiment. Just as we were leaving, there commenced a Guided Tour for new members, which probably doubled as a social mixer for singles and other folks.
Jun 10th, 2025 | 12:21 PM
#22
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
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Now for Lotusland. Polish opera star Ganna Walska and her sixth husband bought this 37 acre site during WWII. She devoted the rest of her life to creating a magnificent private garden. Note that it stays closed each year til February. Prior to our entering, I trotted across the road to chat with the Principal of Cold Springs PS. who was then getting out of her car in the parking lot. She informed me how the Montecito fire department just down the street was still assisting stations from Carp, Summerland, Santa Barbara City (and county) plus Santa Maria, Lompoc, Vandenberg (Hi Elon) and Guadalupe in battling the fires nearby. Btw, we nicknamed our own landlady's incredible private garden 'Little Lotusland'.
The Cito Fire Station. Brave folks. Respect. See their Fire Indicator on the far right. *Would you believe it: some of the thieves arrested for raiding homes in Pasadena during the height of the fires were wait for it...dressed as firefighters!
The friendly garden greeter. His booth was surrounded by a variety of floral exotica. We were about to see cacti, orchards, topiary (bushes as animals), sphagnum moss bromeliads, , dragon trees, orchids, rare agave, rose parterre (out of season) and the famed 'shakkei' Japanese section. Daijobu!
As stated before, 'beautiful' is a tired word used among travelers, But here, it seemed the only descriptor. After securing our self-guided tour stickers, we began our stroll at this calm location. A collection of bonsai plants with self-watering hoses lay behind that pagoda. Mrs Z spied a hyper-busy Anna's Hummingbird. We would later see it again, having a comical chat with a statue of Triton by his fountain.
Karesansui is a Japanese garden design wherein raked sand combines with boulders and rocks to promote Zen meditation. One is supposed to focus on contemplating space, nature and the universe. Forest bathing is an off-shoot of that concept, and encourages strolling through wooded areas to unwind.
A metal stork stood out. Close by, we heard owl hoots, doves and warblers. Bliss. Then crows started calling. We moved onto an area of mini-statuary, whimsical children's themes outnumbering the lions plus the Roman kind.
Ganna Walska: 'I AM THE ENEMY OF AVERAGE!" This fountain of cascading clam shells in the aloe by the shallow, kidney-shaped pool seems to prove her point. There were also 400 species of endangered cycads, those palms that the dinosaurs once fed on. Her own residential house was deliberately made to be one-story--she was terrified of earthquakes. It is still there, a lovely salmon-colored place for conferences, surrounded by a massive cacti collection, , echinocereus, escolaria plus others.
'In flowered fields, the mind delights.' (B. Nietvelt)
Beside that dogwood, this backlit beauty, with the sound of bees somewhere nearby. Someone had placed a lovely white flower in the lap of the Buddha statue. We also saw ferns near the lotuses and lily pond.
Even the gift shop featured excellence.
We kept bumping into one particular friendly and jean-clad blonde woman here and there. It was only afterwards that I recognized her photo in the brochure as the Garden manager. In this area, one finds some large chunks of colored glass strewn artfully-about.
Pretty purple.
Photosynthetically
Animal topiary.
A shy exotic.
Never trust anyone who dislikes gardens.
Pelican on left: "Christ! How many more fotos is this 'Zeebek' guy gonna' show?!" Pelican on right: "Well, there's still the Mission and the Courthouse and..."
"Nooooo!"
The Cito Fire Station. Brave folks. Respect. See their Fire Indicator on the far right. *Would you believe it: some of the thieves arrested for raiding homes in Pasadena during the height of the fires were wait for it...dressed as firefighters!
The friendly garden greeter. His booth was surrounded by a variety of floral exotica. We were about to see cacti, orchards, topiary (bushes as animals), sphagnum moss bromeliads, , dragon trees, orchids, rare agave, rose parterre (out of season) and the famed 'shakkei' Japanese section. Daijobu!
As stated before, 'beautiful' is a tired word used among travelers, But here, it seemed the only descriptor. After securing our self-guided tour stickers, we began our stroll at this calm location. A collection of bonsai plants with self-watering hoses lay behind that pagoda. Mrs Z spied a hyper-busy Anna's Hummingbird. We would later see it again, having a comical chat with a statue of Triton by his fountain.
Karesansui is a Japanese garden design wherein raked sand combines with boulders and rocks to promote Zen meditation. One is supposed to focus on contemplating space, nature and the universe. Forest bathing is an off-shoot of that concept, and encourages strolling through wooded areas to unwind.
A metal stork stood out. Close by, we heard owl hoots, doves and warblers. Bliss. Then crows started calling. We moved onto an area of mini-statuary, whimsical children's themes outnumbering the lions plus the Roman kind.
Ganna Walska: 'I AM THE ENEMY OF AVERAGE!" This fountain of cascading clam shells in the aloe by the shallow, kidney-shaped pool seems to prove her point. There were also 400 species of endangered cycads, those palms that the dinosaurs once fed on. Her own residential house was deliberately made to be one-story--she was terrified of earthquakes. It is still there, a lovely salmon-colored place for conferences, surrounded by a massive cacti collection, , echinocereus, escolaria plus others.
'In flowered fields, the mind delights.' (B. Nietvelt)
Beside that dogwood, this backlit beauty, with the sound of bees somewhere nearby. Someone had placed a lovely white flower in the lap of the Buddha statue. We also saw ferns near the lotuses and lily pond.
Even the gift shop featured excellence.
We kept bumping into one particular friendly and jean-clad blonde woman here and there. It was only afterwards that I recognized her photo in the brochure as the Garden manager. In this area, one finds some large chunks of colored glass strewn artfully-about.
Pretty purple.
Photosynthetically
Animal topiary.
A shy exotic.
Never trust anyone who dislikes gardens.
Pelican on left: "Christ! How many more fotos is this 'Zeebek' guy gonna' show?!" Pelican on right: "Well, there's still the Mission and the Courthouse and..."
"Nooooo!"
Jun 10th, 2025 | 12:59 PM
#23
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,735
Likes: 0
Thank you Macdog, for the uni clarification plus the interesting sharing.
An executive decision has been made to postpone garden coverage in lieu of San Ysidro Ranch so as to continue the topical flow. My hero Neil Peart also got (re)married at the ranch in 2000 after his pair of tragedies. The ranch is located in exclusive Montecito. I wanted to treat my own spouse to something special for Valentines Day. The ranch seemed the obvious choice for this once-in-a-lifetime event. One famed film producer has been taking his wife there for Valentines for decades. We also thought that it was a nice touch by management there to hold a special 'Galentines' affair the day before. For women.
Approaching the ranch in our taxi, Mrs Z and I played a game wherein we traded names aloud of the Hollywood elite who lived nearby and presumably patronized the ranch. In no order, we spoke the following:
Eric Idle, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Parsons, Gwynneth Paltrow (she and another A-list mother both had sons go off to college and just sold their now-empty nests), Katy Perry, Dick Wolfe, Carol Burnett (age 96), Harry & Meagan, Dennis Miller, Patrick Stewart, Rob Lowe, Oprah, Kevin Costner, (Ellen Degeneres and John Cleese both left recently) also possibly Steve Martin and Martin Short. The latter two were shown in a recent doc re-visiting Martin's film location-site triumphs plus cycling to Cleese's former horse ranch.
Someone's child was also having a birthday celebration at the ranch that same evening. A separate room held kids games and such.
Tea for two on a sunny afternoon. The atmosphere was not as stuffy as we'd feared.
There were only three parties celebrating that afternoon. The group of six nearest us had to sit through one of their party holding court non-stop. In that time, that person detailed their recent operation in such excruciating detail that we came 'this close' to asking for a different table.
The food and drink were good. The service was better.
Part of the allure was the ranch's lovely grounds. The gardens were impressive and the decor included fountains, sitting nooks, old trees, metal tortoises and wooden carvings. Without prompt, one staffer informed us that the best photo op views were 'up by the pool area'. Unfortunately, his tip came too late as our return taxi was already en route.
Lily pond.
Most of the decor was tasteful.
This seating area below a pergola seemed like it would be a great place to chill at night with candles and wine.
The ranch was where JFK and Jacky had their honeymoon. You can well imagine the current prices to stay in one of the many lovely cottages. Those had some of the most attractive in-ground Jacuzzis that you'll ever see.
*unrelated macdog: I can't ID this shot---might you know what it is? It was downtown.
Next: more music then more gardens
An executive decision has been made to postpone garden coverage in lieu of San Ysidro Ranch so as to continue the topical flow. My hero Neil Peart also got (re)married at the ranch in 2000 after his pair of tragedies. The ranch is located in exclusive Montecito. I wanted to treat my own spouse to something special for Valentines Day. The ranch seemed the obvious choice for this once-in-a-lifetime event. One famed film producer has been taking his wife there for Valentines for decades. We also thought that it was a nice touch by management there to hold a special 'Galentines' affair the day before. For women.
Approaching the ranch in our taxi, Mrs Z and I played a game wherein we traded names aloud of the Hollywood elite who lived nearby and presumably patronized the ranch. In no order, we spoke the following:
Eric Idle, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Parsons, Gwynneth Paltrow (she and another A-list mother both had sons go off to college and just sold their now-empty nests), Katy Perry, Dick Wolfe, Carol Burnett (age 96), Harry & Meagan, Dennis Miller, Patrick Stewart, Rob Lowe, Oprah, Kevin Costner, (Ellen Degeneres and John Cleese both left recently) also possibly Steve Martin and Martin Short. The latter two were shown in a recent doc re-visiting Martin's film location-site triumphs plus cycling to Cleese's former horse ranch.
Someone's child was also having a birthday celebration at the ranch that same evening. A separate room held kids games and such.
Tea for two on a sunny afternoon. The atmosphere was not as stuffy as we'd feared.
There were only three parties celebrating that afternoon. The group of six nearest us had to sit through one of their party holding court non-stop. In that time, that person detailed their recent operation in such excruciating detail that we came 'this close' to asking for a different table.
The food and drink were good. The service was better.
Part of the allure was the ranch's lovely grounds. The gardens were impressive and the decor included fountains, sitting nooks, old trees, metal tortoises and wooden carvings. Without prompt, one staffer informed us that the best photo op views were 'up by the pool area'. Unfortunately, his tip came too late as our return taxi was already en route.
Lily pond.
Most of the decor was tasteful.
This seating area below a pergola seemed like it would be a great place to chill at night with candles and wine.
The ranch was where JFK and Jacky had their honeymoon. You can well imagine the current prices to stay in one of the many lovely cottages. Those had some of the most attractive in-ground Jacuzzis that you'll ever see.
*unrelated macdog: I can't ID this shot---might you know what it is? It was downtown.
Next: more music then more gardens
Last edited by macdogmom; Jun 10th, 2025 at 01:01 PM.
Jun 10th, 2025 | 02:41 PM
#24
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,618
Likes: 0
Love this and and all the photos, as usual! My maternal grandparents reside in the Santa Barbara Cemetery. We went there to visit a couple of years ago -- first time back since 1986 -- and enjoyed a few hours in the city proper. Far less than you, but hopefully we'll go back at some point. You're making it tempting.
Jun 11th, 2025 | 12:12 PM
#29
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
Likes: 0
Merci AT et aussi MsGo. Where is you both is going next?
So History. Here's the potted version. The Chumash first nations people lived here for many years prior to the arrival of Europeans. In 1782 SB was established as a Spanish presidio. Soon after came an era of hide & tallow industry. By the late 1800s, SB had developed a tourism industry thanks to the Southern Pacific railroad. The eastern elite escaped unpleasant winters back home, to enjoy the central coast here. Eventually, SB became a favored second-home to Hollywood A-listers. Then despite petitions and a crowd-sourcing campaign designed to prevent their arrival, a pair of quirky Canadians came in 2025 to lower the tone and cause general mischief.
A Chumash basket. Some 11,000 years before the white man, indigenous people used shell bead money from the Channel islands to trade with numerous other hamlets spread throughout what is now Santa Barbara county.
The Chumash hamlet of 'Syuxtun ('where the trail divides the village') once had 500 inhabitants. Today, visitors find a related 20' sidewalk-story circle down on Cabrillo, the main E-W drag by the beaches. Comprised of 210,000 tiles (we counted them all), the display was created by 230 associated church members.
Self-explanatory.
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is part of what I feel is an essential nexus during any visit: the marina. One may tour the museum and use the adjoined public washrooms, one may take-away coffee from Dart (yes yes yes), one can shop at either the permanent Fish Market or the aforementioned weekly one; there are water tours, restaurants, the old Purisima diving bell and West Beach itself. Not to mention the walk to the end of the pier and its surfers. *above: a historic masthead at the museum.
Friendly Anna and Daniel are two of the ticket people at the museum. Senior's discounts are available. maybe start by taking the lift up to the 4th floor for the great view. The tiny Tourism Office outpost up there was also showing a live feed of that eagle mother atop her nest. Displays included all manner of oceanic stuff. there is a kids section. *above: the 19C, French-built prismatic dome that used to be the lens of the Point Conception Lighthouse. At 12' high, it is impossible to miss.
From this 1850s stagecoach to the current speedy 'Sky High' helicopter transfer service. That red copter undermined the peaceful atmosphere of West Beach on a daily basis. *But not so much as the disturbed young man who one day drove his LOUD motorbike maniacally back and forth the southernmost section of Bath street for 25 minutes non-stop. Pure aural torture. Why did no-one call the cops on that son-of-a-beach?!
A historic mural located by the Post office in the eastern section of Santa Barbara known as Summerland.
The Queen of all the California Missions. Probably Santa Barbara's most well-known attraction. The museum section offers a wide range of religious, historic and indigenous artifacts. We saw one room that was filled with the art created by young folks. The tiles that they'd just hand-painted depicted a variety of wildlife.
The Mission's interior courtyard was reached through the church. It's Moreton fig tree has a twin by the Amtrak station (our rental was nearby). A matching courtyard (the 'huerta' sacred garden) on the other side of the church was just as relaxing. *wifi=OMSB Guest
That courtyard at the Mission doubled as a historic cemetery and mausoleum. Franciscan monks now lay there. What might a time-traveler experience? From loooong voyages during the age of sail across turbulent oceans, from cannons and horses, to statehood, cars, atomic bombs, flush toilets, Jimi Hendrix, smart phones and deadly drones...
This is the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, built in 1929 and current site of countless weddings in its historic main mural room. Seen here is its 85' El Mirador clock tower. Many movie scenes have been shot on that tower's open deck, because expansive views extend in every direction. There are labelled plaques indicating what you are looking at: La Cumbre Peak (3990'), Montecito (3212'), 1st Methodist Church, Figueroa Gallery, former County Jail with sunken garden *Tower closes early at 4:00.
Poster magsrose: do you recognize this seemingly-deserted location? Of course you do and we want to thank you for the photo op tip. It was quiet as a mouse on the day that we visited, even with yet-another wedding occurring just below on the first floor.
Still in use apparently. Now if only they could drag a certain rogue president in here for his day in court...'They all seem like game show hosts to me.' (Sting-- 'If I Ever Lose My Faith In You')
There is a palace feel throughout the Courthouse, as though one is visiting say, somewhere in Andalucia. True story: some macho Mexican father visiting with his family and all dressed to the nines, seemed to want to contest me with his own whistling. As a former musician (my first career), I have an unconscious habit of whistling whenever so inspired. Here, we noticed that every time I whistled a spontaneous melody, that dad would immediately competitively produce his own counter-offering!
After the Battle of the Whistles was over (I won, with patience), we then retraced our steps to more closely observe some of the many museum-quality lamps throughout the Courthouse. Lamp fans will love this four-building complex.
Back at the Maritime Museum, we also saw some remarkable historic newspapers including a local one from 1853 (Winfield Scott and all that). This headline will lead us perfectly into our brief Summerland bit. But first, more music.
So History. Here's the potted version. The Chumash first nations people lived here for many years prior to the arrival of Europeans. In 1782 SB was established as a Spanish presidio. Soon after came an era of hide & tallow industry. By the late 1800s, SB had developed a tourism industry thanks to the Southern Pacific railroad. The eastern elite escaped unpleasant winters back home, to enjoy the central coast here. Eventually, SB became a favored second-home to Hollywood A-listers. Then despite petitions and a crowd-sourcing campaign designed to prevent their arrival, a pair of quirky Canadians came in 2025 to lower the tone and cause general mischief.
A Chumash basket. Some 11,000 years before the white man, indigenous people used shell bead money from the Channel islands to trade with numerous other hamlets spread throughout what is now Santa Barbara county.
The Chumash hamlet of 'Syuxtun ('where the trail divides the village') once had 500 inhabitants. Today, visitors find a related 20' sidewalk-story circle down on Cabrillo, the main E-W drag by the beaches. Comprised of 210,000 tiles (we counted them all), the display was created by 230 associated church members.
Self-explanatory.
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum is part of what I feel is an essential nexus during any visit: the marina. One may tour the museum and use the adjoined public washrooms, one may take-away coffee from Dart (yes yes yes), one can shop at either the permanent Fish Market or the aforementioned weekly one; there are water tours, restaurants, the old Purisima diving bell and West Beach itself. Not to mention the walk to the end of the pier and its surfers. *above: a historic masthead at the museum.
Friendly Anna and Daniel are two of the ticket people at the museum. Senior's discounts are available. maybe start by taking the lift up to the 4th floor for the great view. The tiny Tourism Office outpost up there was also showing a live feed of that eagle mother atop her nest. Displays included all manner of oceanic stuff. there is a kids section. *above: the 19C, French-built prismatic dome that used to be the lens of the Point Conception Lighthouse. At 12' high, it is impossible to miss.
From this 1850s stagecoach to the current speedy 'Sky High' helicopter transfer service. That red copter undermined the peaceful atmosphere of West Beach on a daily basis. *But not so much as the disturbed young man who one day drove his LOUD motorbike maniacally back and forth the southernmost section of Bath street for 25 minutes non-stop. Pure aural torture. Why did no-one call the cops on that son-of-a-beach?!
A historic mural located by the Post office in the eastern section of Santa Barbara known as Summerland.
The Queen of all the California Missions. Probably Santa Barbara's most well-known attraction. The museum section offers a wide range of religious, historic and indigenous artifacts. We saw one room that was filled with the art created by young folks. The tiles that they'd just hand-painted depicted a variety of wildlife.
The Mission's interior courtyard was reached through the church. It's Moreton fig tree has a twin by the Amtrak station (our rental was nearby). A matching courtyard (the 'huerta' sacred garden) on the other side of the church was just as relaxing. *wifi=OMSB Guest
That courtyard at the Mission doubled as a historic cemetery and mausoleum. Franciscan monks now lay there. What might a time-traveler experience? From loooong voyages during the age of sail across turbulent oceans, from cannons and horses, to statehood, cars, atomic bombs, flush toilets, Jimi Hendrix, smart phones and deadly drones...
This is the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, built in 1929 and current site of countless weddings in its historic main mural room. Seen here is its 85' El Mirador clock tower. Many movie scenes have been shot on that tower's open deck, because expansive views extend in every direction. There are labelled plaques indicating what you are looking at: La Cumbre Peak (3990'), Montecito (3212'), 1st Methodist Church, Figueroa Gallery, former County Jail with sunken garden *Tower closes early at 4:00.
Poster magsrose: do you recognize this seemingly-deserted location? Of course you do and we want to thank you for the photo op tip. It was quiet as a mouse on the day that we visited, even with yet-another wedding occurring just below on the first floor.
Still in use apparently. Now if only they could drag a certain rogue president in here for his day in court...'They all seem like game show hosts to me.' (Sting-- 'If I Ever Lose My Faith In You')
There is a palace feel throughout the Courthouse, as though one is visiting say, somewhere in Andalucia. True story: some macho Mexican father visiting with his family and all dressed to the nines, seemed to want to contest me with his own whistling. As a former musician (my first career), I have an unconscious habit of whistling whenever so inspired. Here, we noticed that every time I whistled a spontaneous melody, that dad would immediately competitively produce his own counter-offering!
After the Battle of the Whistles was over (I won, with patience), we then retraced our steps to more closely observe some of the many museum-quality lamps throughout the Courthouse. Lamp fans will love this four-building complex.
Back at the Maritime Museum, we also saw some remarkable historic newspapers including a local one from 1853 (Winfield Scott and all that). This headline will lead us perfectly into our brief Summerland bit. But first, more music.
Jun 11th, 2025 | 12:32 PM
#30
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,735
Likes: 0
My personal favorite tourist spot is the courthouse. The tile work and painted coffered ceilings, beautiful mural in the courtroom and stupendous views win out every time when I have out of town visitors. The American institute of Architects have voted it the most beautiful building in America and I agree. I haven’t been to the mission in years although the big rose garden and lawn area is a popular spot for families and tourists and we have picnicked there for the first night of Fiesta and watched performances on the mission steps. This month is the 100th anniversary of the SB earthquake which destroyed parts of the mission and a big percentage of downtown. The prevailing architecture was wooden Victorian pre earthquake and it was decided to rebuild in Spanish Mediterranean. A good decision. So far we’ve just had fires and mudslides in the last 20-30 years but hopefully with the much more strict building codes of today another big earthquake would not do the same kind of damage.
Jun 11th, 2025 | 04:42 PM
#31
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
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OK, so finally we have found an alternate version of the intended song above in #30/31. Ironically, it is a killer live version maybe even better than the studio version, whose meaning I trust will be obvious. We used to do a few of their numbers in our band. Enjoy.
Jun 11th, 2025 | 05:13 PM
#32
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
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Breakfast in America. The Summerland Beach cafe is a fun, old-school family place. We went there early one morn, after seeing the sunrise. Shown here are its famed list of historic 'Etiquette Rules' beside its fly-hunting frog.
Summerland has a remarkable row of competing outside/garden decor shops. So pointedly visual. Oprah and Meagan were both recently present at the opening of one new store in that same area: 'Godmother'. There is also a Parrot sanctuary along the way. The TV show 'American Pickers' had a recent episode highlighting an old surf legend Hank and his collection of antiques: surfboards and relics from the age of oil and gasoline.
A most unique place signals the very far eastern edge of Summerland: Sacred Space. This Asian-influenced shop is a veritable oasis.
It offers related interior decor items for sale plus workshops on spiritual matters (e.g. soulful drumming). They were closed during our visit otherwise we may have bought candles.
Incontestably, this was the most unexpected shop in all of SB. OK, maybe tied with the axe-throwing (no joke) active funhouse in the main drag of State Street! Next: we are nearing the end, so let's go for some water tours.
Last edited by zebec; Jun 11th, 2025 at 05:17 PM.
Jun 11th, 2025 | 10:14 PM
#34
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
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Merci janisj et aussi Paq. Have a great Brittany trip. YouTube dun bin vexing me lately above. Je ne comprehend pas. Maybe there's some limit or...? Anyway the Water Tours.
Of course, in a touristed marina with over 100 small-boat fishermen (plus the option to be buried at sea) there is an assortment of water-based tours. The humpback season had just begun when we arrived, but we passed due to potential sea-sickness. We opted for a brief ride on Lil Toot plus the Land Shark. Both were a ton of fun. No sea-sick sailors.
The marina was a great place to visit at any time of day. There were notices asking for witnesses...to recent boat accidents. Not something one sees every day.
Some of the stylish houseboats were for sale. Got $2.5M? Then this above beauty is yours.
One of the whale cruise companies, located by Chrissy's Cove on the far reaches of the marina.
Milo was the Captain who piloted the bright yellow 'Lil Toot' tugboat. Dig those muscular legs.
Young Noah from Hawaii was his assistant. Both ensured that we had a great time on the brief cruise. From Lil Toot, one could see the Saturday Arts & Crafts Market happening at Chase Palm Park.
Maddy was the outstanding guide on the award-winning, half-amphibious 'Land Shark'. She certainly knew how to make a splash during that 90 min tour. Her hilarious narration ('Our driver Mike trained under the pilot of the Exxon Valdez'), her popularity in town including spontaneous applause from groups of local passerby and her good cheer gave all of us in that packed vehicle a good time. We began on land, passing right by our rental btw, then went right into the sea! Maddy plays trombone too.
On both water tours, harbor seals and sea lions were easy to approach, both on landing platforms or piled atop more distant buoys.
Bebe
In addition to water tours, there were plenty of other activities.
There was also a regatta. At that same location by the end of the pier, we had a nice chat with a former surfer, now a family man with kids in tow. He loudly encouraged a group of adolescent surfers, plus their surfing dads, as all they took advantage of local swells. He used language and abstract sounds that we'd never heard before. Do surfers have their own lingo?
This kid reminded me of our Blue Jays baseball star Beau Bichette!
Who was a tourist and who was a local was not always clear.
This is the iconic 'Boy Riding a Seahorse' sculpture.
Every time that we passed, this boat owner had different friends/family assisting his work in prepping the boat for the upcoming season.
A ukelele group gathered in the marina too.
The Harbor Patrol and other nearby businesses employed a lot of sophisticated machinery to keep the boats going.
This fishing boat's owner took his 10 yr old daughter with him out to sea one morn. She looked very keen to get going.
Mom gave me permission.
These locals agreed. Steve and Janelle Holland chatted with Mrs Z and myself. And what a coincidence. Steve is a noted sports portrait artist who had an upcoming gallery show at LISS Gallery in Toronto! That gallery is beside the funky-boho Yorkville (our old answer to Haight-Ashbury) neighborhood gallery where my mom once began her own painting career back in the early sixties. Again, what were the odds?
Funny how social situations can sometimes unfold. This stranger (upper right) approached us as though he knew us and basically insisted that we take this shot of his seated family. It was all very sudden and done good-naturedly, but Mrs Z whispered to me once we were out of earshot: "Did we know that guy?'
Katy Perry, Dick Wolf and Kevin Costner are but three of the famed folks whose boats have a berth right there.
This marina exceeded our expectations as a cool place to be.
Of course, in a touristed marina with over 100 small-boat fishermen (plus the option to be buried at sea) there is an assortment of water-based tours. The humpback season had just begun when we arrived, but we passed due to potential sea-sickness. We opted for a brief ride on Lil Toot plus the Land Shark. Both were a ton of fun. No sea-sick sailors.
The marina was a great place to visit at any time of day. There were notices asking for witnesses...to recent boat accidents. Not something one sees every day.
Some of the stylish houseboats were for sale. Got $2.5M? Then this above beauty is yours.
One of the whale cruise companies, located by Chrissy's Cove on the far reaches of the marina.
Milo was the Captain who piloted the bright yellow 'Lil Toot' tugboat. Dig those muscular legs.
Young Noah from Hawaii was his assistant. Both ensured that we had a great time on the brief cruise. From Lil Toot, one could see the Saturday Arts & Crafts Market happening at Chase Palm Park.
Maddy was the outstanding guide on the award-winning, half-amphibious 'Land Shark'. She certainly knew how to make a splash during that 90 min tour. Her hilarious narration ('Our driver Mike trained under the pilot of the Exxon Valdez'), her popularity in town including spontaneous applause from groups of local passerby and her good cheer gave all of us in that packed vehicle a good time. We began on land, passing right by our rental btw, then went right into the sea! Maddy plays trombone too.
On both water tours, harbor seals and sea lions were easy to approach, both on landing platforms or piled atop more distant buoys.
Bebe
In addition to water tours, there were plenty of other activities.
There was also a regatta. At that same location by the end of the pier, we had a nice chat with a former surfer, now a family man with kids in tow. He loudly encouraged a group of adolescent surfers, plus their surfing dads, as all they took advantage of local swells. He used language and abstract sounds that we'd never heard before. Do surfers have their own lingo?
This kid reminded me of our Blue Jays baseball star Beau Bichette!
Who was a tourist and who was a local was not always clear.
This is the iconic 'Boy Riding a Seahorse' sculpture.
Every time that we passed, this boat owner had different friends/family assisting his work in prepping the boat for the upcoming season.
A ukelele group gathered in the marina too.
The Harbor Patrol and other nearby businesses employed a lot of sophisticated machinery to keep the boats going.
This fishing boat's owner took his 10 yr old daughter with him out to sea one morn. She looked very keen to get going.
Mom gave me permission.
These locals agreed. Steve and Janelle Holland chatted with Mrs Z and myself. And what a coincidence. Steve is a noted sports portrait artist who had an upcoming gallery show at LISS Gallery in Toronto! That gallery is beside the funky-boho Yorkville (our old answer to Haight-Ashbury) neighborhood gallery where my mom once began her own painting career back in the early sixties. Again, what were the odds?
Funny how social situations can sometimes unfold. This stranger (upper right) approached us as though he knew us and basically insisted that we take this shot of his seated family. It was all very sudden and done good-naturedly, but Mrs Z whispered to me once we were out of earshot: "Did we know that guy?'
Katy Perry, Dick Wolf and Kevin Costner are but three of the famed folks whose boats have a berth right there.
This marina exceeded our expectations as a cool place to be.
Last edited by zebec; Jun 11th, 2025 at 10:23 PM.
Jun 11th, 2025 | 10:44 PM
#35
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
Likes: 0
DIDJA' KNOW?
Best local female surfer: Shaya Alexander from Carpinteria won the Pt. Rincon Annual Classic while we were in SB. Some graphics expert wit added a very realistic shark fin to a shot of her doing her thing atop one wave!
best bird name (deliberate small case): 'zunzuncito' (bee hummingbird): the world's smallest bird; apparently found in the area.
Oft-mispronounced words:
a) Lompoc--a small town pron. 'lawm-poke' (see later Amtrak ride)
b) guerra--the 'u' is silent.
Various and Sundry STATS & FACTS:
Largest local Employer: UCSB (12,000 employees)
Goleta: THE global leader in infra-red technology
Carp(interia): home to Linked-in
SB pop. = 88,000 (down four thousand in recent years as people fled the high-cost of living)
Educational attainment:
Ten per cent of Goleta's residents have less than gr 9 vs the SB County average of 12%.
Goleta ties SB for the highest rate of Graduate degrees at 21& of their population.
About 30% of the residents of Carp, Goleta and SB have Bachelor degrees.
Real Estate Values (median):
SB $2.6 M; Carp $4.1M; Goleta $1.6M; south coast $2.6M
SB has less than 1% Industrial real estate vacant vs Carp which has 30%.
Best local female surfer: Shaya Alexander from Carpinteria won the Pt. Rincon Annual Classic while we were in SB. Some graphics expert wit added a very realistic shark fin to a shot of her doing her thing atop one wave!
best bird name (deliberate small case): 'zunzuncito' (bee hummingbird): the world's smallest bird; apparently found in the area.
Oft-mispronounced words:
a) Lompoc--a small town pron. 'lawm-poke' (see later Amtrak ride)
b) guerra--the 'u' is silent.
Various and Sundry STATS & FACTS:
Largest local Employer: UCSB (12,000 employees)
Goleta: THE global leader in infra-red technology
Carp(interia): home to Linked-in
SB pop. = 88,000 (down four thousand in recent years as people fled the high-cost of living)
Educational attainment:
Ten per cent of Goleta's residents have less than gr 9 vs the SB County average of 12%.
Goleta ties SB for the highest rate of Graduate degrees at 21& of their population.
About 30% of the residents of Carp, Goleta and SB have Bachelor degrees.
Real Estate Values (median):
SB $2.6 M; Carp $4.1M; Goleta $1.6M; south coast $2.6M
SB has less than 1% Industrial real estate vacant vs Carp which has 30%.
Jun 12th, 2025 | 11:40 AM
#36
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
Likes: 0
(voice of Mike) "Now this is what's going to happen. My employer has a task for you while you are in SB. A plain box labelled for the 'Fishful Thinking' wholesale company will arrive without warning at your front step after midnight. You will NOT open it nor look inside. Deliver that box to the address on the label and look for a bald man wearing glasses to give it to." Jonathan Banks has dined at the wonderful Via Maestra Italian restaurant by Loreto Plaza. Unpretentious and reasonably-priced.
Jun 12th, 2025 | 11:57 AM
#37
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
Likes: 0
Yo Fodorite/FBer Marco Farrell,
I've been banned from Facebook for several years now, ever since confronting them for allowing maga nonsense. Just noticed that our TR here seems to have a posting on FB. Might you please somehow post that here? I am curious about that.
merci Marco!
I am done. The end.
I've been banned from Facebook for several years now, ever since confronting them for allowing maga nonsense. Just noticed that our TR here seems to have a posting on FB. Might you please somehow post that here? I am curious about that.
merci Marco!
I am done. The end.
Jun 16th, 2025 | 10:26 AM
#38
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Love Santa Barbara. It's history is very interesting. the downtown of Santa Barbara suffered catastrophic damage during the earthquake of 1925. The whole downtown had to be reconstructed. This completely changed the character of the city center. Before the earthquake, the buildings were built in the moorish revival style. After the earthquake, the buildings were built with Spanish revival style.
Jun 18th, 2025 | 02:01 PM
#39
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
Likes: 0
Time to wrap up this lengthy TR. We'll start by acknowledging the passing of Cali icon Brian Wilson. Few rockstars captured the feel of their home turf in their songs as he once did. Respect. Secondly, below are the answers to the Traditional Quiz @#8. Then, we'll conclude with some Jeff Shelton houses, our rental and of course, the pair of daytrips with friends old and new: Carpinteria and wine country (Sta Maria).
QUIZ ANSWERS
1) Carol Burnett.
2) El Segundo.
3) Carpinteria.
4) Alma Ayon (see upcoming wine country section).
5) St. Ynez.
6) zeebekia.
7) Hootie and the Blowfish.
8) *answered already.
9) The Graduate plus Island of the Blue Dolphins.
10) **correctly answered by macdogmom: his brother.
Bonus: 'Rooster & Pig': during WWII, sailors wore this this tattoo to prevent drowning; when rooster and pigs were boarded on boats, they were put in crates that floated and subsequently, often ended up the sole survivors of wrecks.
Local architect hero Jeff Shelton is known for his whimsical style, a sort of Dr. Seuss meets 'alternate adobe'. Seen here is his 2002 Pistachio House. We met the pair of Carolina couples who'd rented it. They actually offered us an interior tour, but we passed out of discretion.
It seems that washroom-placement had been an issue with those renters. They'd expected to find one toilet per floor.
A more distant view, from D'Angelo bakery. We came close to renting one of Shelton's other properties. My wife and I had looked into the one currently owned by a woman from Maine, plus the larger one with a jacuzzi atop.
Nearby was Shelton's 2006 Ablitt House. We went to see it a few times. Beautiful buildings always hit our travelling G-spot.
Ablitt House had its own colorful nameplate-plaque thanking the builder plus the various municipal politicians who'd OK-ed the original construction. 'Original' indeed! Soooo unique. He also did the nearby El Andaluz hotel in 2009.
Shelton created about a dozen special homes throughout SB and they are a must for fans of unique architecture. His site offers a map, but pay close attention: its directions are not 100% accurate.
Attention to detail.
El Zapato house was another masterpiece.
Shutterbug heaven, these extraordinary buildings.
Passing motorists were intrigued by our shooting the opposite side of the street until they noticed the source of our focus.
The Cota street studios. Shelton's Green House was around the corner. The latter's exterior was covered with the donated paintings of dozens of local artists, each depicting some aspect of Central Coast culture.
Our rental 'Harborfront Cottage' was in a great location just a few blocks from the waterfront. That West Beach neighborhood offers the self-catering traveler a lot. We are happy tp provide contact info for the landlady, who lives below.
From our lovely covered deck, there was a perfect view of our landlady's extraordinary private garden. Various palms, a special fountain and six citrus varieties were spread throughout. And more.
We had a comfortable stay for that entire February. The owl hoots were free.
The nearby streets held some attractive upscale homes.
All those homes were in a tsunami warning area.
This seemed like it was a tiny enclave of private properties, each one a gem.
A nearby hospital of some sort.
The old Eagle Inn was a mere one block south. Its young night watchman nearly scared me into a cardiac event, when he suddenly commented aloud on my nocturnal photography: I'd been shooting their exterior green-glass historical lamps. But I'd not realized that he was standing a few yards from me! There were also a bunch of motels along that same block.
Slightly further afield was the Funk Zone.
Of course, seafood themes abounded.
Yet-anther seafood restaurant vying for the tourist trade.
Shoppers will love SB.
The tilework was among the best we'd ever seen.
Pretty sure that this was the cleverly-named Hotel California. A busload of young women wearing matching outfits left their lodgings there to pile into a private bus one morn. That hotel was ringed by a palm grove and contained a courtyard.
Santa Barbara got style.
as above
as above above
The childrens MOXI museum.
State Street had a controversial newish pedestrian stretch. Live bar bands played each night. Nearby were a pair of competing Chinese massage businesses. One offered a unique Mandarin-English translated chart with phrases like: 'Don't touch me there' and 'Can you please press harder?' and like that. Outstanding value was offered in both businesses, literally a fraction of what one would pay for a SB spa massage.
Trees everywhere across this lovely town.
Pelican announces upcoming music shows: Tower of Power, Wynton Marsalis, Michael MacDonald, James Taylor, Ottmat Liebart, Sheku the cellist, Rickie Lee Jones, Kayhan Kalhor, Alan Parsons, Toad the Wet Sprocket (locals), Canned Heat, Yo Yo Ma and Goo Goo Dolls.
Next: the finale with Wine country plus Carp.
QUIZ ANSWERS
1) Carol Burnett.
2) El Segundo.
3) Carpinteria.
4) Alma Ayon (see upcoming wine country section).
5) St. Ynez.
6) zeebekia.
7) Hootie and the Blowfish.
8) *answered already.
9) The Graduate plus Island of the Blue Dolphins.
10) **correctly answered by macdogmom: his brother.
Bonus: 'Rooster & Pig': during WWII, sailors wore this this tattoo to prevent drowning; when rooster and pigs were boarded on boats, they were put in crates that floated and subsequently, often ended up the sole survivors of wrecks.
Local architect hero Jeff Shelton is known for his whimsical style, a sort of Dr. Seuss meets 'alternate adobe'. Seen here is his 2002 Pistachio House. We met the pair of Carolina couples who'd rented it. They actually offered us an interior tour, but we passed out of discretion.
It seems that washroom-placement had been an issue with those renters. They'd expected to find one toilet per floor.
A more distant view, from D'Angelo bakery. We came close to renting one of Shelton's other properties. My wife and I had looked into the one currently owned by a woman from Maine, plus the larger one with a jacuzzi atop.
Nearby was Shelton's 2006 Ablitt House. We went to see it a few times. Beautiful buildings always hit our travelling G-spot.
Ablitt House had its own colorful nameplate-plaque thanking the builder plus the various municipal politicians who'd OK-ed the original construction. 'Original' indeed! Soooo unique. He also did the nearby El Andaluz hotel in 2009.
Shelton created about a dozen special homes throughout SB and they are a must for fans of unique architecture. His site offers a map, but pay close attention: its directions are not 100% accurate.
Attention to detail.
El Zapato house was another masterpiece.
Shutterbug heaven, these extraordinary buildings.
Passing motorists were intrigued by our shooting the opposite side of the street until they noticed the source of our focus.
The Cota street studios. Shelton's Green House was around the corner. The latter's exterior was covered with the donated paintings of dozens of local artists, each depicting some aspect of Central Coast culture.
Our rental 'Harborfront Cottage' was in a great location just a few blocks from the waterfront. That West Beach neighborhood offers the self-catering traveler a lot. We are happy tp provide contact info for the landlady, who lives below.
From our lovely covered deck, there was a perfect view of our landlady's extraordinary private garden. Various palms, a special fountain and six citrus varieties were spread throughout. And more.
We had a comfortable stay for that entire February. The owl hoots were free.
The nearby streets held some attractive upscale homes.
All those homes were in a tsunami warning area.
This seemed like it was a tiny enclave of private properties, each one a gem.
A nearby hospital of some sort.
The old Eagle Inn was a mere one block south. Its young night watchman nearly scared me into a cardiac event, when he suddenly commented aloud on my nocturnal photography: I'd been shooting their exterior green-glass historical lamps. But I'd not realized that he was standing a few yards from me! There were also a bunch of motels along that same block.
Slightly further afield was the Funk Zone.
Of course, seafood themes abounded.
Yet-anther seafood restaurant vying for the tourist trade.
Shoppers will love SB.
The tilework was among the best we'd ever seen.
Pretty sure that this was the cleverly-named Hotel California. A busload of young women wearing matching outfits left their lodgings there to pile into a private bus one morn. That hotel was ringed by a palm grove and contained a courtyard.
Santa Barbara got style.
as above
as above above
The childrens MOXI museum.
State Street had a controversial newish pedestrian stretch. Live bar bands played each night. Nearby were a pair of competing Chinese massage businesses. One offered a unique Mandarin-English translated chart with phrases like: 'Don't touch me there' and 'Can you please press harder?' and like that. Outstanding value was offered in both businesses, literally a fraction of what one would pay for a SB spa massage.
Trees everywhere across this lovely town.
Pelican announces upcoming music shows: Tower of Power, Wynton Marsalis, Michael MacDonald, James Taylor, Ottmat Liebart, Sheku the cellist, Rickie Lee Jones, Kayhan Kalhor, Alan Parsons, Toad the Wet Sprocket (locals), Canned Heat, Yo Yo Ma and Goo Goo Dolls.
Next: the finale with Wine country plus Carp.
Jun 18th, 2025 | 05:51 PM
#40
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,653
Likes: 0
We took Amtrak up to Sta Maria in wine country. Above, the SB station. The local lady Sherriff had posted a notice in the window notifying everyone that she was authorized to remove anyone who threatened the peace--the area was a hub for the homeless.
Both going up the coast and afterwards returning down, we passed Space X. We learned from a young mom and her space enthusiast little son that a long-awaited launch was about to happen in about four hours time. Overly LOUD sonic booms from launches have caused some SB residents undue alarm. *shot taken from speeding train
In 1782, the first grapevine cuttings were planted at the Mission. The county's first post-Prohibition commercial winery was started in '62 by a young cheese shop owner named Pierre Lafond. Later, the 2004 film 'Sideways' highly publicized Santa Barbara viticulture. Nowadays, there are 13,500 acres of wine grapes harvested annually, valued around $97 million. Over 75 grape varieties are used by 350 wineries. Economic impact: $1.7 billion.
My childhood friend Neil and I arranged to meet up in Sta Maria. He and his new wife Alma came down from Paso Robles to rendezvous halfway with my wife and I. Then we all drove to the nearby Presquile winery owned by their friend Joe. The coastal San Rafael and Santa Ynez mountain ranges run east-west. That funnels cool Pacific air and fog to make a great micro-climate for growing Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The cooler west edge of the area favors Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
L-R: Alma holds rescue dog Truffles, Neil, myself (Zebec) and Mrs Z. Hummingbirds and buzzards flew nearby. Mrs Z noted the irony en route, when Neil's car radio played Rush's 'Tom Sawyer', a song sure to remind both he and I of our rockin' youths once upon a time back in Toronto. Alma still does catering and such as a Cordon Bleu chef. *Note to Neil: 'Old friend, the more that you eat, the harder you are to kidnap.'
Alma had actually once worked as chef at Presquile. Above was the fantastic meal that we all shared while tasting great wines there at the stylish winery. The ingredients were grown in the winery's private garden. The spread was prepared by a younger chef returned from mat leave. It was served by attentive Tom, a witty former lawyer from out east.
Presquile manager Shannon oversees this outdoor performance area at the winery. The neighboring winery in that romantic rural area was Bien Nacido. We had a great time thanks to our old-and-new friends. The Amtrak that took us home departed from the pink-painted Guadelupe station.
Mrs Z and I were in Carpinteria (Carp) hoping to renew our membership cards at the Mensa Society, when we chanced across a pair of local vagrants collapsed on the steps of Fieldings Cannabis Dispensary. They appeared to have dognapped someone's young Corgi. We felt sorry for them and took them all for a meal.
Yes, its the one and only 'maitaitom' and his better half Tracy! L-R: Tom, Zebec, Mrs Z, Tracy holding Garbo. We always welcome the opportunity to meet new friends. Sharing a quiet meal at Teddys under a shady awning was a superb idea. We heard their sobering Pasadena/Altadena fire tales. Tom kept bugging me to sell him my Leif Garrett autograph. Be sure to see their recent TR: Paris, Strasbourg, Belgium. See also his music blog.
Carp facts: the local family beach is regarded as the safest around; an idiot tourist recently broke the 'keep yer distance' rule at the Seal Rookery and scared all the animals into the ocean; long-time Robataille (NHL fame) Candy shop has closed permanently; the Linden street market may finally soon launch; the old, highly-rated airport was once used by Amelia Earhart & Howard Hughes; commuter traffic concerns; real estate is much pricier than SB (?); few shops-residents must shop elsewhere.
